Taking in one last breath, and exhaling with sliding the doors to reveal her father's office with her Father centered in the middle, seated upon a grand wooden oak desk. Clearly looking through papers and files, if Galinda didn't know any better she would have left thinking he was too busy. But this was important, and he wasn't that busy, not really.
Looking up from his desk he couldn't believe for a moment his little girl was coming in when he was working. She usually came when her mother or someone else was present to fetch him for Dinner or something. Coming in with dignity and a straight face, how could he not smile with pride.
Yes, what is it Princess? Popsicle? She started, "When do you go into the Emerald City?" Her Father looked at her confused, putting down the paper he was looking at, studying her for a moment, asked. What, I'm not going to the Capital? Both looking at each other perplexed, Mr. Upland sighed, got up from his desk, went to his princess and took her hand and looked into her eyes and explained. I am not high enough, or important enough to bring such business to the Capital.
Galinda froze in her place, what? Mr. Upland understood that to Galinda he was important, everyone looked up to him, even she a child was looked up to, but this was reality. There were bigger and better people out there, and the Uplands weren't them.
The world faded to Galinda, how can they not be important?! What about all those Holiday get togethers, going from mansion to country houses, Luncheons, Fundraisers, all the praise given to their family. This didn't make any sense. This was ridiculous and untrue. How could it be true?!
Seeing the confusion and storm blowing in his daughter's eyes, Mr. Upland confirmed his daughters thoughts. Yes, we are important, and are as we are. We are of the higher class, but in the Emerald City it's a different story. Money, and family name is one thing, but what really belongs in the circle of the Great Wizard Of Oz, is loyalty to the Wizard, and only the Wizard. So politicians go to give reports, but unless summoned, we are not to see the Wizard. We merely give our reports through messengers, and trusted officers.
Galinda's Dream shattered before her. She wanted to be important sure, but the only way to be within the walls of the Capital officials were by loyalty, like dogs. There to serve and obey. The idea didn't really appeal to Galinda one bit, she wanted her own destiny, not to chase or cater to someone else's.
With that her Father knew she understood, giving her a tender kiss upon her forehead, he got up from his kneeled position, and went back to his work. As Galinda walked out she heard her father say "I understand, don't worry you can be anything you want to be."
Galinda walked in with a haze into her room, unaware of her maid finishing up dusting. Usually it wasn't really to dust, Galinda had taken interest in the maid's stories of her childhood in the Emerald City before moving out for a quieter life. Really like a friend or confidante, the Maid was entranced by Galinda's curiosity. She was more than she let herself be the maid thought to herself.
Sitting at her desk as if about to get to work, Galinda couldn't contain her tears any longer. The Maid rushed her asking what was wrong. By now the maid has figured the differences between petty sobs and when Galinda was really crying. When Galinda really cried she did not want you to know. Silently tears and silent Muffels came through the girl.
Galinda turned to her maid with a look that took the maid by surprise, never had she seen this look on Galinda's face.
What's wrong? The Maid asked. Silently almost like a whisper Galinda said "I'm not going to the Emerald City." Looking at her tear-filled mistress with confusion the maid with a slight panic in her eyes as if she had somehow forgotten asked "Are we going on a trip?!" Before she could jump to start setting out clothes to pack Galinda shook her head slowly.
The look on Galinda's face deepened. No, she said turning away from her maid, she then continued. Father doesn't go to the Emerald City, he's not need there, or have any use to the main circle of politics. That's means if I took on his job I wouldn't be able to go there either. Turning back to her maid with tears streaming down her face, caused a realization to the maid that this was everything to Galinda. Before she thought it was just a fancy, a daydream trip to see and visit. But this didn't seem to be the case.
Choosing her words carefully the Maid tried to reason with Galinda to shine some form of hope into the sweet girls eyes, but nope, it was as it was. The maid was sad, turning back to her work she felt sorry for the girl.
Two weeks have passed Summer was hotter than ever, soon Galinda would start HS in the Fall, already shopping for a new wardrobe Galinda had long descided that she didn't know what she was going to do, but is wasn't pursuing her Father's career. One of her cousins can take on the Upland tradition, it's not like they were short of males, smart intelligent ones at that. The Emerald City wasn't just a place of Politics but also it was the place for Fashion.
That's were she was going to go. Fashion would open plenty of doors from politics, entertainment, news, celebrities, everything was there. Now at least Galinda thought to herself I won't have to deal with History, or Math or any of that boring stuff. The Maid was thrilled and relieved at Galinda's turn around. The Maid was honored by the attention of the young miss of the house, but was a shy, sweet thing, that couldn't really keep up with Galinda, so she happily kept her distance when Galinda was hyped about something or someone and forgot all about her. She's just a sweet ignorant child the Maid satisfying thought to herself.
She didn't have any siblings or children of her own, so she just happily enjoyed the laughter smile of Galinda.
High School is barely anything but gossip, made drama for kicks, and things teachers are scolding info into our heads like we really need it. Math is a bore, Science is a joke, and history is another way to say getting beauty sleep.
The art teacher is fun, she barely shoves anything towards us, rather encourages us to shove what we want to her. Naturally if I am to be a designer I shall work on my designs! Even got plenty of my friends to volunteer to model my choices, I barely saw anything, but I will learn eventually.
Junior year it became more of a play. I grab someone within the crowd let them shine with my charity, as they smile, singing their praises to me, and of me.
"Your so good! Good! You're as good as gold! Your a princess among girls!"
Those words are as precious as Emerald gems that frame the Emerald City! But sometimes in my room, when alone, not ready to retire, I reflect and remember their eyes are grateful, but their hearts aren't singing for, but rather for her doing something for them. Shedding my golden light to them, afterwards they'll sing or maybe they will forget? Either way it isn't really for her.
But how silly she feels to think such rudeness to her friends. Her friends! They have shown they are grateful, and they've done nothing wrong! Perhaps it's just wicked thoughts. I should be a shamed of myself, here I am feeling sorry or sad but for nothing!
My friends are all here, surrounding me everyday, doing absolutely nothing but being wonderful companions!
Coming into the entrance, the usual feeling wasn't their. Rather it was cold, making her want to murmur "Hello? Anyone?" But she wouldn't dare. "Never look down, never turn away from what you want" is what her parents, her Tutors would say. Yes tutors, one secret Galinda would never admit to anyone is she needed tutors to keep up in school. Galinda was brilliant, smart, was no fool, but maybe perhaps she also was. However the drabness of school made it hard, especially when teachers weren't charmed by her, Galinda felt more less ambitious to try, or felt they were right. She was a spoiled golden haired brat. But that's not all she was, why having golden like hair and a charmed smile earned her a dumbed down opinions. She is a fool, but a clever fool. That's where they go wrong.
Ah Galinda darling! Galinda snapping out of her thoughts, finding herself still standing the the entrance. Coming down the grand staircase was her dear mother. Mommzy, Galinda breathed. How are you?
Studying her daughter as she came down the final steps, her manner not breaking, was hiding her secret concerns for her daughter.
Galinda's mother never showed much emotions, but sense her dear boy died, she's shut her heart more than she ever wished she would to her daughter, but she was still very young at the time, distracted by all her admirers to notice any change in her mother's tone or actions.
When she would fall asleep on the floor from playing with her dolls, she used to pick her up and cradle her on the couch, to leave her laying on the cushioned coach as she left to her own work. However later she'd appoint a servant or instruct them to pick her up and lay her on the couch or make sure she'll wake up more comfortable then when she dozed off.
Later when Galinda got older and more into her own interests, she naturally watched her shining daughter with pride in her heart but worry and fear at her daughters lack of understanding of the real world. But that was her her husband's fault. But her daughter is smart, she is her daughter, she was just as giddy and silly as her when she was her age. Sometimes when she looks at her, she goes back to those long warm summer nights at balls and parties, evening outings with admirers courting her until she met Galinda's father.
Having her daughter enrolled in school was her wishes in hopes Galinda would get a taste of the real world, but a bit sad that her charms were possibly the reasons for her daughter's innocence ignorance.
Galinda darling, what world are you visiting? She asked teasingly. Her daughter was clearly lost in questionings but it was always best to ask as if she wasn't aware of any change it was always easier for to reach her daughter.
It's already been established that Galinda's cousin would take on her husband's role, and her daughter was clearly for social groups rather then sitting in an office, so nothing was wrong, but sometimes she wonders what Galinda would accomplish if she knew she could be more than what she allows herself to be. That was already a long repeated regret she and her mother and mother's mother held in their hearts.
Her darling girl answered with her perfectly placed mask, matched with a pitched perfect voice sounding no worries, but she knew better. She was her mother and she was here, only her daughter didn't know that, and that was her fault. But that's how she worked, a business, partner hiding next to her husband, while Galinda already has proven she's not afraid to stand tall and proud on her own.
Watching her daughter go up the stairs to do her usually studies or rather practice her knowledge of what's in fashion. Saying one last thing Lady Upland made her way.
Coming into her room, to her desk, she wasn't going to waste any time and start working on her studies. Half way through, her thoughts turned to her mother. She loved her, and looked up to her, but couldn't understand why she barley hugged anyone, but her dogs. No complaints, she loves her and it was no secret to her that she was a business women, so that comes with it, she supposed. Galinda loved hugs! It's a crime not to express yourself! But then again who is she to think that. She really is such a hypocrite.